FSU football opens new era; three players lost from team

Published: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 05:28 PM.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State opened spring football practice with a renewed sense of vigor and a few noteworthy items regarding the loss of three reserves.

The Seminoles started on Wednesday, the first of 15 workouts leading up to the annual Garnet and Gold Game April 13 at Doak Campbell Stadium. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said he was pleased with the team’s energy and how the players acclimated to the new coaching staff. Seven coaches departed from the 2012 staff and the Seminoles lost 13 starters from a 12-2 team.

“I don’t think it’s different. I’ve been around them a long time,” Fisher said of the new coaches and how players reacted. “It was pretty natural. Most of the guys know the tempo we do here in practice, so from that standpoint it wasn’t that big of a change.”

Tempo is one thing, but players also had to adjust to new fiery personas. Defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri was among the most vocal coaches and his intensity didn’t wane much when he was interviewed by the media following Wednesday’s practice. Each assistant coach will be made available for one interview in the four weeks of spring practice.

“I’m excited about it. I think they had a good practice,” Sunseri said. “I think they got an idea of what I am going to ask for, so tomorrow will be another day.

“Hopefully, we get better and they’ve got to learn. They’ve got to understand not just assignments, they’ve got to understand concepts of what’s going on out there.”

Sunseri will mentor a group of talented yet largely untested defensive ends. The group will be tasked with replacing the production of Bjeorn Werner and Tank Carradine, both of whom will be playing in the National Football League next season.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State opened spring football practice with a renewed sense of vigor and a few noteworthy items regarding the loss of three reserves.

The Seminoles started on Wednesday, the first of 15 workouts leading up to the annual Garnet and Gold Game April 13 at Doak Campbell Stadium. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said he was pleased with the team’s energy and how the players acclimated to the new coaching staff. Seven coaches departed from the 2012 staff and the Seminoles lost 13 starters from a 12-2 team.

“I don’t think it’s different. I’ve been around them a long time,” Fisher said of the new coaches and how players reacted. “It was pretty natural. Most of the guys know the tempo we do here in practice, so from that standpoint it wasn’t that big of a change.”

Tempo is one thing, but players also had to adjust to new fiery personas. Defensive ends coach Sal Sunseri was among the most vocal coaches and his intensity didn’t wane much when he was interviewed by the media following Wednesday’s practice. Each assistant coach will be made available for one interview in the four weeks of spring practice.

“I’m excited about it. I think they had a good practice,” Sunseri said. “I think they got an idea of what I am going to ask for, so tomorrow will be another day.

“Hopefully, we get better and they’ve got to learn. They’ve got to understand not just assignments, they’ve got to understand concepts of what’s going on out there.”

Sunseri will mentor a group of talented yet largely untested defensive ends. The group will be tasked with replacing the production of Bjeorn Werner and Tank Carradine, both of whom will be playing in the National Football League next season.

Mario Edwards Jr. is the most experienced returning end, having started the final two games after Carradine was injured against Florida in the regular-season finale. However, Sunseri said Edwards, listed on the spring roster at 6-foot-3, 282 pounds, needs to be in better shape for the long haul in the fall. Sunseri also said Giorgio Newberry, who is in a battle to start at the other end position, must learn to use his length (6-6 frame) more effectively and improve on his footwork.

Players missing practice: Fisher announced the loss of three players on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Garrett Faircloth (hip) and defensive back Justin Bright (head) were declared medically disqualified. Bright will remain with the program as a student assistant coach.

Offensive lineman Henry Orelus graduated and is no longer on the team. Bright, Faircloth and Orelus were backups.

Early enrollee DeMarcus Walker didn’t practice and won’t until receiving approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Fisher didn’t believe the issue to be major and expected a relatively quick resolution.

Wide receiver Marvin Bracy missed the first practice due to activities with FSU’s track team. Fisher said Bracy also missed team meetings earlier in the day.

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